Fiat 124 Spider to start at $24,995

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will unveil the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider on Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new roadster is expected at U.S. dealerships next summer – 50 years after the original car debuted in Italy. FCA

The 124 Spider was last sold in the United States in 1985. Its return to the market is an attempt to increase awareness of Fiat, which has struggled to drum up sales since returning to North America after a nearly 30-year hiatus in 2011. FCA

“The most difficult thing when you start working with a car like this is how do you reinvent an icon?” said Felix Kilbertus, 124 Spider design manager. “Icon is something that gets thrown around very easily, but this is a car for the Fiat brand that represents one of the most beautiful Fiats we’ve ever done.” FCA

The new 124 Spider is built on the same platform as the critically acclaimed 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata, which went on sale earlier this year. Mazda will build the 124 Spider alongside the Miata at its facility in Hiroshima. FCA

The 124 Spider is aesthetically different than the Miata, including Fiat-designed front and rear fascias with unique lighting, badging and character lines. The Fiat roadster also features a more powerful Italian engine. FCA

“We leveraged a partnership and a great proven platform,” said Bob Broderdorf, Fiat director of North America. “We did that. But it’s not enough to call it a Spider, just to slap a 124 badge on it and call it a day." FCA

“We made the car our own," says Bob Broderdorf, Fiat director of North America, about the 124 Spider. "When you have a small brand — you’re building a brand — it’s important to do those things and make it truly unique.” FCA

Aside from a complete overhaul of the design, the 124 Spider is powered by Fiat Chrysler’s turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine capable of 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That bests the Miata’s 2-liter engine with 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. FCA

To celebrate the return of the classic nameplate, the first 124 vehicles will be offered as a limited-edition Prima Edizione Lusso, as shown at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Each will be individually numbered with a commemorative badge and available in exclusive Azzurro Italia (nlue) exterior paint with premium leather seats in Saddle. FCA

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV on Friday announced the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider will arrive in dealerships this summer starting at $24,995.

That price is for the entry-level Classica model, which is powered by a turbocharged MultiAir 1.4-liter engine with 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. A Lusso model with the same specs will start at $27,495, while a performance Abarth model with 165 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque will begin at $28,195.

“Our mission at FIAT is to deliver Italian design and heritage in vehicles that are fun to drive,” said Olivier Francois, head of global Fiat brand, in a statement. “The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider brings these elements together and comes loaded with open-air fun, stunning Italian design and the proven turbocharged MultiAir 1.4-liter engine.”

The prices are for a six-speed manual transmission and do not include destination, taxes and other fees. Add another $1,350 for a six-speed automatic transmission for each of the three roadster models.

To celebrate the return of the 124 Spider after a nearly 50-year hiatus, the first 124 vehicles will be offered as a limited-edition Prima Edizione Lusso. Each will be individually numbered with a commemorative badge and available in exclusive Azzurro Italia (Blue) exterior paint with premium leather seats in Saddle.

The Fiat 124 Spider Prima Edizione Lusso will have a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $35,000, plus $995 destination.

The 124 Spider was last sold in the United States in 1985. Its return to the market is an attempt to increase awareness of Fiat, which has struggled to drum up sales since returning to North America after a nearly 30-year hiatus in 2011.

The entry-level starting price of the 124 Spider is $80 more than the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which the Fiat roadster shares the underpinnings. Mazda is producing the vehicle in Japan for the Italian auto brand.

The 124 Spider is aesthetically different than the Miata, including Fiat-designed front and rear fascias with unique lighting, badging and character lines. The Fiat roadster also features a more powerful Italian engine.

The 124 Spider is slightly longer than the Miata and weighs roughly 100 pounds more, due primarily to the engine.